A battery swapping system, a multi-functional battery swapping station and a battery swapping method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery swapping system, comprising: a battery bin for storing different models of batteries and charging discharged batteries; a battery swapping actuator bin for storing different specifications of battery swapping actuators for different models of batteries; a palletizer for the pick-up and transfer of discharged batteries and fully charged batteries and the pick-up and transfer of battery swapping actuators; a battery swapping station for carrying a target vehicle; a battery swapping device, including a movable platform that moves on a track between the palletizer and the battery swapping station, a battery swapping manipulator fixed to the movable platform, and different specifications of battery swapping actuators that are docked with the battery swapping manipulator and perform unlocking and locking actions on the batteries; and a control unit that is signal-connected to the palletizer, the movable platform, and the battery swapping manipulator. The present invention also discloses a multifunctional battery swapping station including the battery swapping system, and a battery swapping method for the battery swapping system. The present invention realizes battery swapping for vehicles with different models of batteries of different vehicle types.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electric vehicles, and particularly to a battery swapping system, a multifunctional battery swapping station, and a battery swapping method. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are only three or four common forms of battery swapping stations, all of which are customized battery swapping stations by automobile factories. Each battery swapping station can only swap batteries for vehicles of one corresponding model. However, with the wide promotion of electric vehicles, the demand for battery swapping stations has also increased. The customized battery swapping stations are only for one model and cannot achieve generalization. They have a single function and can no longer meet the actual needs. Moreover, setting up multiple battery swapping stations suitable for each model results in a low utilization rate of each battery swapping station, occupying land resources and construction costs, and is not suitable for wide promotion. Therefore, a generalized battery swapping station that can adapt to multiple models is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] (1) Technical Problems to be Solved

[0004] Based on the above problems, the present invention provides a battery swapping system, a multifunctional battery swapping station, and a battery swapping method, which store batteries of different models and battery swapping actuators of different specifications, switch battery swapping actuators of different specifications, and swap batteries for vehicles with different models of different batteries of different models, realizing a battery swapping station with vehicle model generalization.

[0005] (2) Technical Solutions

[0006] Based on the above technical problems, the present invention provides a battery swapping system, including:

[0007] A battery compartment for storing batteries of different models and charging discharged batteries;

[0008] A battery swapping actuator compartment for storing battery swapping actuators of different specifications for different models of batteries;

[0009] A palletizer shared by the battery swapping actuator compartment and the battery compartment, for the transfer of discharged batteries and fully charged batteries and the transfer of battery swapping actuators;

[0010] A battery swapping platform for carrying a target vehicle for battery swapping operations;

[0011] A battery swapping device, including a movable platform that moves on a track between the palletizer and the battery swapping platform, a battery swapping manipulator fixed on the movable platform for the transfer of batteries and battery swapping actuators and precise positioning during the battery swapping process, and different specifications of battery swapping actuators that are docked with the battery swapping manipulator for unlocking and locking actions on the batteries to realize the disassembly and assembly operations of the batteries;

[0012] And a control unit, which is signal-connected to the battery compartment, the battery swapping actuator compartment, the palletizer, the battery swapping platform, the movable platform, and the battery swapping manipulator.

[0013] Further, the palletizer includes two temporary storage positions.

[0014] Further, the end of the battery swapping manipulator is provided with a quick-change joint for quickly switching and connecting the battery swapping manipulator and the battery swapping actuator.

[0015] Further, the quick-change joint includes a mechanical joint, an electrical joint and a pneumatic joint.

[0016] Further, the batteries in the battery compartment are stored in the corresponding bins according to their models.

[0017] Further, the battery swapping actuators in the battery swapping actuator compartment are stored in the corresponding bins according to their models.

[0018] The present invention also discloses a multi-functional battery swapping station for the battery swapping system described above.

[0019] The present invention also discloses a battery swapping method for the battery swapping system described above. The battery swapping method includes the following steps:

[0020] S1. Drive the target vehicle into the designated position of the battery swapping station, manually input the vehicle model, the system automatically identifies the vehicle model, and determines whether the input vehicle model is consistent with the identified vehicle model. If not, repeat S1. If so, proceed to S2;

[0021] S2. Obtain the battery position of the target vehicle according to the identified vehicle model, and determine whether the original battery swapping actuator matches the identified vehicle model. If not, proceed to step S3. If so, proceed to step S6;

[0022] S3. The palletizer extracts a matching battery swapping actuator from the battery swapping actuator compartment;

[0023] S4. The movable platform moves to the palletizer, and the battery swapping manipulator switches the original battery swapping actuator with the matching battery swapping actuator;

[0024] S5. The movable platform moves to the battery position of the target vehicle, and the battery swapping device disassembles the discharged battery of the target vehicle; meanwhile, the palletizer returns the original battery swapping actuator to the battery swapping actuator compartment and extracts a matching fully charged battery from the battery compartment, and proceeds to step S7;

[0025] S6. The movable platform moves to the battery position of the target vehicle, and the battery swapping device disassembles the discharged battery of the target vehicle; meanwhile, the palletizer extracts a matching fully charged battery from the battery compartment, and proceeds to step S7;

[0026] S7. The movable platform moves to the palletizer and replaces the discharged battery with the fully charged battery;

[0027] S8. The movable platform moves to the battery position of the target vehicle, and the battery swapping device loads the fully charged battery onto the vehicle, completing the battery swapping.

[0028] Further, the battery swapping method further includes the following steps:

[0029] S9. The palletizer sends the discharged battery into the battery storage, and the battery storage charges the discharged battery.

[0030] Further, extracting the matching battery swapping actuator from the battery swapping actuator storage means extracting the battery swapping actuator from the cell in the battery swapping actuator storage that matches the required model; extracting the matching fully charged battery from the battery storage means extracting the fully charged battery from the cell in the battery storage that matches the required model; returning the original battery swapping actuator to the battery swapping actuator storage means returning the original battery swapping actuator to the cell that matches the model of the original battery swapping actuator; sending the discharged battery into the battery storage means returning the discharged battery to the cell that matches the model of the discharged battery.

[0031] (III) Advantageous Effects

[0032] The above technical solutions of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0033] (1) The present invention adds a battery swapping actuator storage for storing different specifications of battery swapping actuators of different models, enabling the battery swapping manipulator to switch different specifications of battery swapping actuators to match different models of batteries for battery swapping operations, making the battery swapping device, battery swapping system, and battery swapping station applicable to battery swapping of different vehicle models with different battery specifications, improving the utilization rate of the battery swapping station, and reducing the waste of land resources and construction costs;

[0034] (2) In the battery swapping device of the present invention, the removal of the discharged battery and the extraction of the matching fully charged battery by the palletizer are carried out simultaneously, and the two temporary storage positions of the palletizer are used simultaneously when replacing the battery swapping actuator or the battery, which is beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0035] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic and should not be construed as limiting the present invention in any way. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 is a front view of a multifunctional battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a top view of a multifunctional battery swapping station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a battery swapping method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] In the figure: 1: Battery compartment; 2: Battery swapping actuator compartment; 3: Palletizer; 4: Battery swapping station; 5: Movable platform; 6: Battery swapping manipulator; 7: Quick-change connector; 8: Battery swapping actuator; 9: Target vehicle; 10: Slide rail. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] The following combines the accompanying drawings and embodiments to further describe in detail the detailed implementation manners of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0041] The embodiment of the present invention is a battery swapping station as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 and includes a battery compartment 1, a battery swapping actuator compartment 2, a palletizer 3, a battery swapping device, a battery swapping station 4, and a control unit (not marked in the figure).

[0042] The battery compartment 1 is used for storing batteries of different models and charging dead batteries. The battery compartments 1 are all vertical compartments. The batteries are stored in each compartment of the battery compartment 1. The battery compartment 1 includes a first battery compartment and a second battery compartment. Since batteries of different models are stored, each compartment stores a specified corresponding model of battery, so as to find the required model of battery during extraction and put it back into the compartment corresponding to the model when putting it back;

[0043] The battery swapping actuator compartment 2 is a vertical compartment for storing battery swapping actuators 8 of different specifications for batteries of different models. The battery swapping actuators 8 are stored in each compartment of the battery swapping actuator compartment 2, and each compartment stores a specified corresponding model of battery swapping actuator 8, so as to find the required model of battery swapping actuator 8 during extraction and put it back into the compartment corresponding to the model when putting it back;

[0044] The palletizer 3 is used for the transfer of taking and placing dead batteries and fully charged batteries and the transfer of taking and placing battery swapping actuators 8. It is shared by the battery swapping actuator compartment 2 and the battery compartment 1 and includes two temporary storage positions for the taking and placing operations of batteries and battery swapping actuators 8 on the palletizer;

[0045] The battery swapping station 4 is used to carry the target vehicle 9 for battery swapping operations. Whether the target vehicle 9 needs to be lifted is determined according to the battery swapping method of the target vehicle 9. It can perform under-chassis battery swapping or side battery swapping;

[0046] The battery swapping device includes a movable platform 5 that moves along a slide rail 10 between a palletizer 3 and a battery swapping station 4 to transport a battery or a battery swapping actuator 8, a battery swapping manipulator 6 fixed to the movable platform 5 for precise positioning during the transfer and battery swapping process of the battery and the battery swapping actuator 8, and a battery swapping actuator 8 docked with the battery swapping manipulator 6 for unlocking and locking the battery to achieve the disassembly and assembly operations of the battery. The battery swapping actuator 8 includes a battery swapping mechanism. The battery swapping manipulator 6 is connected to battery swapping actuators 8 of different specifications, so as to achieve the disassembly and assembly of batteries of different models;

[0047] The end of the battery swapping manipulator 6 is provided with a quick-change joint 7 for the quick switching and connection between the battery swapping manipulator 6 and the battery swapping actuator 8. The quick-change joint 7 includes a mechanical joint, an electrical joint, and a pneumatic joint. The mechanical joint is used for the quick connection of the mechanical structures between the battery swapping manipulator 6 and the battery swapping actuator 8. The electrical joint is used for the quick docking between the electrical taps of the battery swapping manipulator 6 and the battery swapping actuator 8. The pneumatic joint is used for the quick docking between the pneumatic plugs of the battery swapping manipulator 6 and the battery swapping actuator 8.

[0048] The control system is signal-connected to the battery bin 1, the battery swapping actuator bin 2, the palletizer 3, the battery swapping station 4, the movable platform 5, and the battery swapping manipulator 6, so as to monitor the battery model, quantity, and status in the battery bin 1, monitor the model and quantity of the battery swapping actuators 8 in the battery swapping actuator bin 2, control the position movement of the palletizer 3 and the movable platform 5, transmit the vehicle model identification, in-place identification, and battery position identification of the battery swapping station 4, and control the positioning and actions of the battery swapping manipulator 6, etc.

[0049] Based on the above battery swapping method of the battery swapping station as Figure 3 shown, it includes the following steps:

[0050] S1. Drive the target vehicle 9 onto the designated position of the battery swapping station 4, manually input the vehicle model, the system automatically identifies the vehicle model, and determines whether the input vehicle model is consistent with the identified vehicle model. If not, repeat S1. If so, enter S2;

[0051] S2. Obtain the battery position of the target vehicle 9 according to the identified vehicle model, and determine whether the original battery swapping actuator matches the identified vehicle model. If not, enter step S3. If so, enter step S6;

[0052] S3. The palletizer 3 extracts a matching battery swapping actuator from the battery swapping actuator bin 2; the extracting a matching battery swapping actuator from the battery swapping actuator bin 2 means extracting a battery swapping actuator from the bin cell in the battery swapping actuator bin 2 that matches the required model;

[0053] S4. The movable platform 5 carrying the original battery swapping actuator moves to the palletizer 3, and the battery swapping manipulator 6 switches the original battery swapping actuator with the matching battery swapping actuator;

[0054] S5. The movable platform 5 carrying the matching battery swapping actuator moves to the battery position of the target vehicle 9, and the battery swapping device disassembles the depleted battery of the target vehicle 9; meanwhile, the palletizer 3 returns the original battery swapping actuator to the battery swapping actuator bin 2 and extracts a matching fully charged battery from the battery bin 1, entering step S7; returning the original battery swapping actuator to the battery swapping actuator bin 2 means returning the original battery swapping actuator to the bin compartment matching the model of the original battery swapping actuator, and extracting a matching fully charged battery from the battery bin 1 means extracting a fully charged battery from the bin compartment in the battery bin 1 that matches the required model;

[0055] S6. The movable platform 5 carrying the original battery swapping actuator moves to the battery position of the target vehicle 9, and the battery swapping device disassembles the depleted battery of the target vehicle 9; meanwhile, the palletizer 3 extracts a matching fully charged battery from the battery bin 1, entering step S7;

[0056] S7. The movable platform 5 carrying the depleted battery moves to the palletizer 3. The depleted battery is connected to the movable platform 5 through the battery swapping actuator, and the fully charged battery replaces the depleted battery;

[0057] S8. The movable platform 5 carrying the fully charged battery moves to the battery position of the target vehicle 9, and the battery swapping device loads the fully charged battery, and the battery swapping is completed;

[0058] S9. The palletizer 3 sends the depleted battery into the battery bin 1, and the battery bin 1 charges the depleted battery; sending the depleted battery into the battery bin 1 means returning the depleted battery to the bin compartment matching the model of the depleted battery.

[0059] In summary, through the above-mentioned battery swapping system, multi-functional battery swapping station and battery swapping method, the following advantages are obtained:

[0060] (1) The present invention adds a battery swapping actuator bin for storing different models and different specifications of battery swapping actuators, enabling the battery swapping manipulator to switch different specifications of battery swapping actuators to match different models of batteries for battery swapping operations, so that the battery swapping device, battery swapping system, and battery swapping station can be applicable to battery swapping of different vehicle models with different battery specifications, improving the utilization rate of the battery swapping station and reducing the waste of land resources and construction costs;

[0061] (2) In the present invention, the disassembly of the depleted battery by the battery swapping device and the extraction of a matching fully charged battery by the palletizer are carried out simultaneously, and the two temporary storage positions of the palletizer are used simultaneously when replacing the battery swapping actuator or the battery, which is beneficial to improving the battery swapping efficiency.

[0062] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit them; although the embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery swapping system, characterized in that, include: Battery compartment, used to store batteries of different models and charge depleted batteries; The battery swap actuator compartment is used to store battery swap actuators of different specifications for different battery models; The palletizer is used for the battery replacement actuator compartment and the battery compartment, and is used for the transfer of low-power batteries and fully-charged batteries, as well as the transfer of the battery replacement actuator; A battery-changing station is used to carry the target vehicle for battery-changing operations; The battery exchange device includes a movable platform that moves on rails between the stacker and the battery exchange station, a battery exchange manipulator fixed on the movable platform for transporting the battery and the battery exchange actuator and accurately positioning the battery during the battery exchange process, and battery exchange actuators of different specifications docked with the battery exchange manipulator for unlocking and locking the battery to realize the disassembly and assembly of the battery; and a control unit, which is connected to the battery compartment, the battery-swapping actuator compartment, the palletizer, the battery-swapping station, the movable platform, and the battery-swapping manipulator by signal; The palletizer includes two temporary storage locations; The end of the battery-swapping manipulator is provided with a quick-change joint for rapid switching and connection between the battery-swapping manipulator and the battery-swapping actuator, and the quick-change joint includes a mechanical joint, an electrical joint and a pneumatic joint.

2. The battery swapping system according to claim 1, wherein The batteries in the battery compartment are stored in compartments corresponding to the models.

3. The battery swapping system according to claim 1, wherein The battery-swapping actuators in the battery-swapping actuator compartment are stored in compartments corresponding to the models.

4. A multifunctional battery swap station comprising the battery swap system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A battery swapping method for the battery swapping system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The battery replacement method comprises the following steps: S1, drive the target vehicle into the designated position of the radio station, manually input the vehicle model, the system automatically identifies the vehicle model, and determines whether the input vehicle model is consistent with the identified vehicle model. If not, repeat S1, if yes, enter S2; S2, obtaining the battery position of the target vehicle according to the identified vehicle model, and determining whether the original battery replacement actuator matches the identified vehicle model, if not, proceeding to step S3, if yes, proceeding to step S6; S3, the palletizer extracts the matching battery-swapping actuator from the battery-swapping actuator bin; S4, the movable platform moves to the palletizer, and the battery-swapping manipulator switches the original battery-swapping actuator with the matching battery-swapping actuator; S5, the movable platform moves to the battery position of the target vehicle, and the battery swapping device removes the low-power battery of the target vehicle; at the same time, the palletizer returns the original battery swapping actuator to the battery swapping actuator compartment, and extracts a matching fully-charged battery from the battery compartment, and enters step S7; S6, the movable platform moves to the battery position of the target vehicle, and the battery replacement device removes the low-power battery of the target vehicle; at the same time, the palletizer extracts a matching fully-charged battery from the battery compartment, and enters step S7; S7, the movable platform moves to the palletizer, and the fully-charged battery replaces the depleted battery; S8, the movable platform moves to the battery position of the target vehicle, and the battery replacement device loads the fully charged battery onto the vehicle, and the battery replacement is completed; S9, the palletizer delivers the low-power battery into the battery compartment, and the battery compartment charges the low-power battery; The extraction of a matching power swapping actuator from the power swapping actuator bin is to extract a power swapping actuator from the bin compartment in the power swapping actuator bin that matches the required model; the extraction of a fully charged battery from the battery bin is to extract a fully charged battery from the bin compartment in the battery bin that matches the required model; the return of the original power swapping actuator to the power swapping actuator bin is to return the original power swapping actuator to the bin compartment that matches the model of the original power swapping actuator; the feeding of the discharged battery into the battery bin is to return the discharged battery to the bin compartment that matches the model of the discharged battery.

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